Will the future of mass transport in Tampa lie with the airport man?
It’s early on, the political situation is tough and there is no clear groundwell for new transport initiatives. But Tampa International Airport’s newly established chief executive Michael Stevens has said the right thing to do to get local transport back to the radar, including a long registered commuter line between the airport and downtown Tampa.
Stevens took over from Joe Lopano last month. Joe Lopano retired after 14 years of success, when the airport pulled record passengers, overhauled terminal and office facilities, attracting new long distances and international routes. The number of passengers has reached 26 million this year, and is expected to reach around 39 million by 2042. This means that airports are growing as Tampa Bay grows and are becoming a very important local gateway. That’s great, but it also presents another challenge.
Lopano couldn’t overlook the irony. We can get a body jet from Europe, he has muse, but we cannot take those travelers to the beach. Passengers are getting off from some of the world’s most advanced planes, passing through one of the best airports, loading into a car, crawling a file across local bridges and highways.
Stevens sketched something better. Use commuting services to link the airport with two nearby destinations: West Shore Commercial District and downtown Tampa. Both are major and growing business centres, with their residences, restaurants and retailers attracting visitors and locals. One concept: Connect the airport’s SkyConnect Train to a large system that travels between Tampa International, West Shore and Downtown.
The beauty of Stevens’ idea is that it is not only clean, compact and wise, but he brings it regularly. In fact, when the Hillsboro County Aviation Agency chose Stevens last year, several board members specifically praised Tampa International for their focus on improving offsite airport connectivity by using it as an urban transport hub. Stephens once again discussed the proposal in March with The Times Editorial Board and more recently with his colleague Shauna Muckle.
The idea of connecting the airport, West Shore and downtown Tampa with a transit line is nothing new. And there’s one great idea. It’s another thing to put it down from the ground. But three things make this idea different and especially exciting.
For one, Stephens has executive-level experience in both the county’s mass transport providers, Tampa International and the Hillsborough Area area regional transport. He understands the importance of linking airport services to local bus connections such as Downtown, West Shore and more. A lawyer, Stephens held a wide portfolio at Tampa International, overseeing community and government relations. He knows how to sew a wide coalition across complexity and bureaucratic lines.
Second, (a) improving passenger experience, and (b) directly serve the airport’s interests by maintaining more airport property for aviation-related purposes. More importantly, having an airport as a springboard for this idea has a huge impact. Tampa International is often seen locally, and global data company JD Power is routinely ranked among the best airports in North America. Its reputation for innovation and customer service is irreplaceable in the future.
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Third, this line is viable, proximity and rich in passengers. Local leaders have spoken about improving transportation for 30 years. But we were paralyzed by options. Do I need to use a train or bus? Would you like to connect downtown Tampa to the airport, St. Petersburg, or the University of South Florida? What about the 41-mile regional link from Pinellas to Pasco County? In short, we didn’t do anything because we wanted everything. It makes sense to start small on the route people understand and use, and it will be something to build.
Stevens has a lot on his plate, so let’s see where this idea goes. However, he clashed with serious issues worthy of serious support from serious people. Would you like to drop him a support note?
